Team MAPE supports MAPE friendly candidates and legislation. Our issue priorities include: achieving fair compensation for state employees, fixing our broken health care system, preventing outsourcing and privatization of state services and protecting our pension and retirement benefits.

January 2012

Studies on state employee job classifications, performance appraisals aired at hearing

Submitted by kkillian on January 26, 2012 - 2:37pm

The House State Government Finance Committee held a hearing this morning (Thursday) on various state employee related topics. The meeting included updates on studies prompted by the 2011 legislative session. Studies on both state employee job classifications and state employee performance appraisals were reported on.

In her report about on state job classifications, Laurie Hansen, director of Human Resource Management for Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), said the study had three main goals: 1, To reduce the number of job classifications in state service to less than 50 job families; 2, To allow for flexible management of job classes; 3, To enhance the ability of state employees to transfer to other positions.

The report covers the managerial plan, commissioner’s plan and the following bargaining units: MAPE, AFSCME and Middle Management. MMB is coordinating the project. In total, more than 35,000 employees will be covered in the study.

Say, 'No,' to super-majority amendment: media editorials

Submitted by mcody on January 26, 2012 - 1:16pm

Two Greater Minnesota newspaper editorials said, “No,” to the proposed constitutional amendment requiring a super-majority vote of 60 percent by the Minnesota Legislature to raise taxes.

The bluntest editorial, from the Fargo Forum, said, “Forum editorial: Say ‘no’ to lazy lawmakers.” The Forum objected to the harm the super-majority amendment would cause by allowing a minority of lawmakers to “hold the budget process hostage” and the likelihood that such an amendment would harm Greater Minnesota since there are more legislative votes in the metro area.

Indiana is likely days away from enacting deceptive ‘right to work’ legislation

Submitted by mcody on January 26, 2012 - 11:00am

Pay cut! 'Right to work' states average $5,300 less in wages

Indiana is likely days away from becoming the first Rust Belt state -- and the first state in a decade -- to adopt the controversial "right to work" law, according to news media reports Thursday morning. This would make the Indiana the 23^rd state with “right to work” laws in this country.

Over the angry shouts of labor union protesters and the emotional pleas of Democratic lawmakers, the Indiana House voted 54-44 Wednesday for the bill, with five Republicans joining 39 Democrats in opposition. It now goes to the Indiana Senate, which earlier passed an identical version of the bill by a vote of 28-22.

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has listed “right to work” legislation as his top priority this year. His office declined to comment on Wednesday's approval.

MAPE's State of the Union statement

Submitted by mcody on January 25, 2012 - 8:23am

Statement by Jim Monroe, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees on the State of the Union

January 24, 2012

“Tonight President Obama laid out a clear plan to keep the economy moving in the right direction and continue getting Americans back to work. The President’s call to increase manufacturing in America, provide homegrown energy and invest in workforce training are key pillars of a solid economic plan to strength our country’s middle class.

For far too long, the middle class in this country has suffered the consequences of big corporations who outsource our jobs overseas and rig the political system to avoid paying taxes. It’s time for the richest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes and to restore economic security for the backbone of our country – working men and women.

Senate Republicans want Democrats to shoulder entire burden of staff cuts

Submitted by mcody on January 24, 2012 - 4:53pm

The rosy start to the 2012 legislative session lasted for about an hour. The partison battle renewed when the Senate Rules Committee convened to consider a budget.

Minnesota Republicans have found a way to reduce the Senate’s deficit. They’re going to make the Democrats pay for it. Republicans promised to reduce Senate costs as part of last year’s budget agreement.

Republicans voted to reduce DFL staff at the Senate by more than $400,000 — meaning the DFL will have to lay off 12 to 14 people of its 43-person staff. Republicans will not reduce their staff of 73 people at all.

"Members, this is a dangerous precedent you're setting," said Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, who made an unsuccessful attempt to amend the bill.

For more information and a video of Bakk's repsonse, please go to this link on The Uptake:

Watch start of 2012 legislative session live

Submitted by mcody on January 24, 2012 - 11:33am

Minnesota House and Senate start their 2012 legislative session today at noon. View the coverage live from one of two links below:

To watch a live video feed of the House, go to the following link: www.theuptake.org/mn-house-channel/
To watch a live video feed of the Senate, go to the following link: www.theuptake.org/mn-senate-channel/

Indiana Senate OKs 'right to work' bill; House democrats continue boycott

Submitted by mcody on January 24, 2012 - 11:06am

Protect workers' rights Indiana took a big step toward becoming the 23rd state in the nation with the controversial "right to work" law on the books, as the Senate passed the measure late Monday, according to the Indianapolis Star.

However, Indiana House Democrats did not come to the floor again Tuesday, holding up consideration of the “right to work” legislation. Early Tuesday, House Speaker Brian Bosma said he would increase fines for the string of absences to $4,000 if they did not appear. Democrats have skipped nine of the 14 scheduled session days thus far to protest — and slow down — the "right to work" bill.

Campaign finance complaint filed against state Sen. Dave Thompson

Submitted by mcody on January 23, 2012 - 2:50pm

The DFL Party filed a campaign finance complaint Monday against state Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, questioning Thompson's work for the Republican Party of Minnesota while he was a candidate for the state Senate, according to multiple media reports.

"It raises questions as to whether the folks are being paid to run for office,'' DFL state chairman Ken Martin in announcing the complaint was quoted by the Star Tribune.

MAPE’s Board Approves Budget for Staffing Needs to Serve Membership

Submitted by mcody on January 20, 2012 - 4:25pm

MAPE announces employment opportunities

On Friday, Jan. 20, the MAPE Board of Directors passed a budget for 2012 to better serve the membership. By funding a new business agent position and preserving funding to fill vacancies in MAPE’s Membership Services, Communication and Administration departments, the Board’s goal was to continue providing top-notch service during a time of heightened attacks against unions and their members.

“As corporations step up their funding efforts for legislation and constitutional amendments that target hard working public employees and their unions, we need to ensure that our union is operating at full staffing capacity to help defend our members,” said Chet Jorgenson, MAPE’s Statewide President. “MAPE’s Board will do what they can to preserve and strengthen the rights our members have to fair compensation and dignity in the workplace.”

MAPE’s newly elected team of Statewide Officers begin their terms

Submitted by mcody on January 20, 2012 - 2:56pm

MAPE's Statewide Officers MAPE's newly elected Statewide Officers began serving their two-year terms at Friday's Board of Directors meeting.

They are, pictured in the photo on the right from left to right: Statewide Second Vice President Royce Tyre, Statewide Treasurer Michelle Doheny, Statewide Secretary Mary Baker, Statewide President Chet Jorgenson and First Vice President Jamie Fitzpatrick.